Neilson – Rossi Red Cost Us

Robbie Neilson wasn’t prepared to defend Igor Rossi following his sending off against Hamilton on Sunday for his two-footed challenge on Darren Lyon; this was a red card he couldn’t defend.

Neilson admitted the sending off of Rossi probably did cost Hearts two-points at New Douglas Park in the goalless draw with Hamilton.

He told the BBC he didn’t speak with the defender though, which says enough, during the break with him looking to ‘deal with him’ this week.

‘I didn’t speak to (Rossi) at half-time, it’s about focusing on the 10 who are still out there. That will be dealt with midweek.’

Jesus Garcia Tena’s sending off, for his own heavy challenge on Arnaud Djoum, levelled it up at 10-men apiece.

The Head Coach didn’t think, from those that remained on the pitch, couldn’t have offered more though with him adding it was a ‘decent point’ with Hearts hitting the crossbar on three occasions.

‘The players gave everything, that’s all you can ask. One silly mistake cost us getting three points but the players stuck together. Eleven v 11 we played really well. Even at 10 men we kept our shape well and still had good opportunities. Towards the end we probably should have won it, the chances we had. Hamilton at home are a hard team to play against. The players have to adapt quickly and I was pleased with how they did in the first 30 minutes, until we got a man sent off. So it’s a decent point. We’re disappointed not to get three, but we have to take the positives from it.’

The bid to catch Aberdeen in second would have been helped more, as Hamilton reacted well to the eight-one thrashing suffered by Celtic ahead of this, Rossi not been sent off and/or seen his effort or those of Blazej Augustyn and Dario Zanatta go in instead if hitting the bar!